Central New York Ronald McDonald House expansion nears completion

Chris Brock, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·2 min read

Apr. 24—Ronald McDonald House expansion nears completion

SYRACUSE — The $1.1 million expansion of the Central New York Ronald McDonald House is nearly complete.

Last year, 43% of guest families that stayed at the facility came from Northern New York.

At a Ronald McDonald House, families can stay together, rest and recharge as their child undergoes medical treatment at nearby facilities. The house provides families with the convenience of a comfortable room and bed, home-cooked meals, snacks, support and compassion all at no charge to the families while keeping them close to Syracuse-area hospitals and medical centers. In the first six months of 2023, 415 family members stayed at the CNY Ronald McDonald House for a total of 1,782 nights.

The nonprofit is renovating more than 9,000 square feet of previously unfinished space on the fourth floor of the house to add six new family suites. The project began last fall. RMHC of CNY expects to complete the expansion project later this spring so that it may begin using the new suites by this summer to serve even more guest families in need.

The new suites consist of four one-bedroom suites and two two-bedroom suites, providing a total of 14 beds to accommodate more guests. The new suites will enable RMHC of CNY to offer more family-centered spaces to large and multigenerational families while giving working parents and family members a designated space to work remotely during their stay. Additionally, the suites will provide a private living space to families with children who are immunocompromised.

"This expansion will allow us to keep even more families comfortable and close when it matters most," Beth Trunfio, executive director of RMHC of CNY, said in a news release. "We are in the process of raising $1.1 million to support this project and, while we are trending toward our goal, we are asking community members to consider donating to the project to help us meet the evolving needs of guest families."

RMHC of CNY has raised $815,000 toward its goal, including a $350,000 gift from the Feehan Family Foundation.

To make a donation, go to rmhcny.org/fourth-floor or call 315-476-1027 to learn more about commemorative giving opportunities.

Construction on the project is being managed by Zausmer-Frisch, Scruton & Aggarwal, Syracuse, which designed and built the CNY Ronald McDonald House in 2011-2012.

There are nearly 400 Ronald McDonald House programs in the U.S.

It is a worldwide charity with over 260 chapters in more than 60 countries.

The Ronald McDonald House in Syracuse opened 42 years ago at 1027 E. Genesee St. and moved to its current site at 1100 E. Genesee St. in 2012. It was designed to add a fourth floor, if needed.